How does Acts 13:31 inspire confidence in the gospel's historical reliability? Verse at a Glance “and for many days He appeared to those who had accompanied Him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now His witnesses to our people.” — Acts 13:31 Eyewitness Testimony: The Gospel’s Bedrock • Paul anchors the resurrection in firsthand observation, not legend. • “Those who had accompanied Him” saw Jesus both before and after His death, eliminating the possibility of mistaken identity. • Luke’s earlier record echoes the same emphasis: “To them He presented Himself alive after His suffering by many convincing proofs” (Acts 1:3). • Eyewitnesses serve as verifiable sources—first-century listeners could track them down. “Many Days” Matters • The appearances occurred over an extended period, not a single fleeting encounter. • Continuous, repeated meetings rule out hallucination theories. • Luke 24:36-43 shows Jesus eating fish, underscoring a bodily resurrection witnessed on multiple occasions. Consistency with Other New Testament Witnesses • 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 lists over five hundred witnesses, aligning perfectly with Acts 13:31. • 2 Peter 1:16 affirms, “We did not follow cleverly devised myths… but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.” • John opens his first letter the same way: “What we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes… we proclaim to you” (1 John 1:1-3). Historical Context and Public Scrutiny • Paul delivered this sermon in Pisidian Antioch, roughly twenty years after the resurrection—well within living memory of the events. • Hostile authorities in Jerusalem could have refuted Paul’s claims if evidence were lacking, yet the movement grew (Acts 4:13-18). • The message spread among diverse audiences—Jews and Gentiles alike—indicating broad credibility. Practical Takeaways for Today • The gospel stands on public, verifiable history, not private revelation. • Scripture calls believers to the same confidence Paul displayed: the risen Christ is a fact of history. • Because the resurrection is grounded in eyewitness testimony, faith rests on solid evidence, inviting wholehearted trust and proclamation. |
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